Business

As a new statewide program consisting of an internship program between students and manufacturers takes off around the state, Shelby County has found itself on the outside looking in. But local officials are setting the ground work to get involved in the program.

“This is our third recruitment class, so the idea is, we’re growing it, and we feel like in another year or two, there will be that need to expand it out to Shelby County,” said Debbie Anderson, who heads up the Kentucky FAME Greater Louisville Chapter.

Swifty Oil Station, vacant since June 2015, has undergone still another transformation with the removal of its gas tanks this week.

Justin Phelps with Hagan Real Estate confirmed that the property, located at 1530 Midland Trail in Shelbyville, will soon be under new ownership, but said he cannot speak to the plans for the facility.

In 2016, the county broke its 3-year trend in increasing home sales, with a slight dip.

However, that picture is not completely gloomy – the total number of homes sold was down 2 percent but the number of people building new homes increased slightly, with 5 more residential building permits taken out than in 2015 for an increase of 3 percent. In addition, the average home price fell only slightly, at 2 percent.

The Shelby County Backpack Project is once again in need of food, and the latest drive to help is being held by Kentucky Farm Bureau.

Debbie Rothenburger, who is heading up the effort along with Stephanie Tucker, said that Food Check Out Week, a national movement by KFB, will be held locally Feb. 19-25.

“This food check out week, Feb. 19-25, that's when we celebrate how many weeks it takes for the average American to earn enough money to buy food for the entire year,” she said. “It's like six weeks in America.”

There hasn’t been much time yet for workers or employers to determine the effects of Kentucky’s new right to work law, which Gov. Matt Bevin signed Jan. 8, officials say, but union leaders and lawmakers share opposing views of the future repercussions.

Though several fast food restaurants recently have developed second locations in the county, the community has long voiced a desire for new options. Their cries may at last have been heard.

On Tuesday, during the regularly scheduled 6:30 p.m. meeting at the Stratton Center, 215 Washington St. Shelbyville, the Triple S Planning commission will consider the development plan for Bojangles’ along Taylorsville Road on Mortown Way and Old Brunerstown Road in Shelby County, near the recently developed Taco Bell and Tractor Supply.

As 2017 gets underway temperatures may be cooling down but industry in Shelby County is hotter than ever and Libby Adams, executive director of the Shelby County Industrial & Development Foundation, said the economic forecast for the year looks to stay hot.

“We had lots of industries that either expanded or finished an expansion last year,” she said. “It seems like all of the industries are stable and growing.”

As we reflect upon the past 12 months, there’s no doubt Adams’ observation is on point.